Haryana polls: BJP's Rohtash Jangra withdraws nomination from Sirsa; party likely to support Gopal Kanda

In the upcoming state Assembly elections, both the BJP and the Congress will contest 89 out of 90 seats

BJP candidate from Sirsa assembly constituency Rohtash Jangra announced on September 16 that he has withdrawn his nomination for the seat. The move suggests that the ruling party may extend its support to Gopal Kanda, the leader of the Haryana Lokhit Party, in the upcoming Assembly election.

Kanda is a sitting MLA from Sirsa. He had earlier extended his support to the BJP government.

"I have withdrawn my nomination. The decision has been taken in the interest of the state and the country... we have to ensure a 'Congress Mukt Haryana'," Jangra told PTI.

On being questioned if the decision was taken in Kanda’s favour, Jangra said that Kanda has supported BJP for five years. The decision has been taken keeping in mind Sirsa’s development, said Jangra.

In the upcoming state Assembly elections, both the BJP and the Congress will contest 89 out of 90 seats. The Congress has conceded the Bhiwani constituency to the CPI(M).

The BJP, last week, announced its third and final list of candidates for the Haryana polls, fielding Jangra from Sirsa.

Reacting to Jangra’s announcement, BJP leader Ashok Tanwar told ANI, “It was the decision of the party and Rohtash Jangra has withdrawn his nomination papers. Our main aim is to keep the state away from the Congress's politics of lies and deception.”

Polling for the 90 Assembly seats in Haryana will take place on October 5. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.

The incumbent BJP aims to secure a third consecutive victory, but faces a stiff challenge from a resurgent Congress. The Congress party seeks to capitalise on the anti-incumbency factor.